Strong Ohio Defense Lawyers Against Sex Crimes Charges
If you are not charged but are being investigated, you must contact an attorney immediately. Do not delay. Smart people hire lawyers before they speak with the police. It is not a sign of guilt if you ask for an attorney.
If you have been charged with a sex crime, the repercussions you face stretch beyond extensive fines and prison time. You run the risk of being labeled a sex offender – a label that could be permanent. You need a criminal defense attorney who understands the implications of sexually oriented offenses. With more than 200 combined years of legal experience defending people who have been accused of sex crimes in Cincinnati, Lebanon, Oxford and throughout Ohio, we understand the weight of these charges. We will aggressively defend your rights by thoroughly investigating the facts and developing a defense based on the merits of your case.
Call Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima at 513-496-0134 to schedule an initial consultation with one of us. We’re criminal defense lawyers who are experienced in handling sex crime accusations.
Types Of Ohio Sex Crimes
We are available to assist you with criminal law matters related to any sex crime in Ohio, including the sexually oriented offenses we discuss in more detail below:
- Gross sexual imposition: Gross sexual imposition is sexual contact with an individual who does not consent. This is either a Tier II offense/third-degree felony, Tier I offense/fourth-degree felony or Tier III offense/third-degree felony, depending on the nature of the sexual contact and the age of the victim. It carries a maximum prison term of up to 18 months for a fourth-degree felony and one to five years for a third-degree felony, with mandatory prison time possible in the latter case.
- Internet crimes: We defend clients from charges of possession or sharing of child pornography, sextortion, revenge porn and other internet-related crimes.
- Pandering obscenity: Pandering obscenity, or the production, sale, publishing or display of obscene material, is a Tier I/fifth-degree felony. It carries a sentence of up to 12 months in prison and a maximum fine of $2,500.
- Parental sex crimes: A parent accused of sexually abusing their child needs an aggressive and strategic defense. We will stand by your side against the toughest sex crimes charges.
- Sexual battery: This refers to a range of unlawful acts. These include an individual knowingly engaging in sexual conduct with a person too impaired to give consent; a teacher engaging in sexual conduct with a student; or a police officer, clergy member or other person with disciplinary authority having sexual conduct with a minor. It is a Tier III/third-degree felony unless the victim is younger than 13, which raises it to a second-degree felony, punishable by a mandatory term of two to eight years in prison.
- Sexual misconduct with minor: This involves an adult having sexual conduct with a minor older than 13 but younger than 16. It is generally a Tier I/fourth-degree felony that carries a possible prison sentence of six to 18 months, but certain factors can alter the tier level and penalties.
Ohio Sex Offender Registration
In addition to a potential jail or prison sentence, many sexual offenses require sexual offender registration. Being registered as a sex offender affects where you can live and work. Depending on the underlying crime, there are three levels of registration required. They are as follows:
- Tier I offenses: Require annual notification for up to 15 years. There is a possibility of early termination after 10 years.
- Tier II offenses: Require registration every 180 days for 25 years.
- Tier III offenses: Require an offender to register every 90 days for the rest of their life.
The mere stigma related to the false accusation of a sex offense can ruin a person’s life, yet the impact of a conviction is much worse. Through our experience in leadership positions in organizations ranging from the Ohio Criminal Defense Association to the Warren County Bar Association, we have proven that we understand the laws pertaining to sex crimes. We have successfully achieved not guilty verdicts for clients accused of sex crimes as well as numerous plea bargains over the past several decades – both of which have allowed our clients to escape being labeled sexual offenders.
Ohio Penalties For Sex Offenses
Offense |
Term |
Fine |
|
Fourth-Degree Misdemeanor |
Up to 30 days in jail |
Up to $250 |
|
Third-Degree Misdemeanor |
Up to 60 days in jail |
Up to $500 |
|
Second-Degree Misdemeanor |
Up to 90 days in jail |
Up to $750 |
|
First-Degree Misdemeanor |
Up to 180 days in jail |
Up to $1,000 |
|
Fifth-Degree Felony |
Up to 12 months in prison |
Up to $2,500 |
|
Fourth-Degree Felony |
Up to 18 months in prison |
Up to $5,000 |
|
Third-Degree Felony |
Up to 36 months or 60 months in prison |
Up to $10,000 |
|
Second-Degree Felony |
Up to eight years in prison |
Up to $15,000 |
|
First-Degree Felony |
Up to 11 years in prison |
Up to $20,000 |
After An Arrest, Talk To One Of Us, Ohio Sex Crime Defense Lawyers
Contact us at 513-496-0134 to schedule an initial consultation and find out how we can make certain that your rights are protected.
Client Review: 5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“My son was falsely accused of a crime he did not commit. Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima (Nick Graman) represented him during the difficult situation and eased our concerns on the process that unfolded. I will continually be grateful for all that was done for my son and our family. If a friend and/or family member ever should need legal representation, I will highly recommend Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima and specifically Nick Graman for their outstanding service to our community.” – Robin G.
